Bolton isn’t shy about blowing its own trumpet for being the biggest town in the UK, the backdrop for some of the biggest shows on tele and for producing some of the funniest fellas in showbiz (Peter Kay, Paddy McGuiness and Vernon Kay, we’re looking at you...), but that isn’t all they have to shout about.
Boltonians (as they like to call themselves) are proud of their northern heritage. Take Market Place for example – the town’s newest, trendiest shopping centre with The Vaults underground food court – slapped with sayings like ‘sit thi darn an ‘av tha sen sum supper’ and ‘dost tha want summat t’eyt?’. There’s adventure golf, quiz nights and cask ales...the list goes on.
They’re proud of their town’s history. The cobblestone streets and wide pavements make for a pleasant afternoon, which in between the leisurely shopping and fine dining is peppered with snippets of Ye Olde life (a pastie shoppe and the oldest cider ‘ouse in the world, Ye Olde Man & Scythe, the fourth oldest pub in England dating back to 1251).
But one of the most exciting things about Bolton is its calendar. It’s a great place for socialites or people watchers, for food lovers and sports fanatics.
The Bolton Food and Drink Festival is one of its most popular fixtures, this year hosting its 17th event with television chef James Martin, welcoming 460,000 people to the town over four days.
There’s IRONMAN UK – Bolton being home to England’s only full-distance IRONMAN (swim, bike and run), with the papers signed until 2027 – and of course its job as host town for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup after its success hosting the England v France match last year.
There is always something happening here, and it’s no wonder with all of its recent investment. The pretty 1930s Le Mans Crescent offers everything from a theatrical evening at the Albert Halls (featuring an impressive £6.5 million makeover) to a day at the Museum and Art Gallery studying the towns connection with Egyptology/ admiring its stunning collection of art and natural history/ exploring Manchester’s only public aquarium. And the Central Library is settling into its temporary home at Crompton Place whilst it awaits its £3.7m transformation.
Country life isn’t too far away, with locals enjoying walking and birdwatching at Jumbles Country Park and the stunning Rivington Pike on the Moors.
Bolton is rich in architecture, having lent its pretty buildings to almost two dozen television series and films, with another four in the pipeline for 2022. Big ones include The Stranger (2019), Peaky Blinders (2021) and the upcoming season of Happy Valley (2022).
There are favourable primary and secondary schools – most notably Bolton School, whose alumni includes none other than Gandalf himself (...I mean Sir Ian McKellen) – and one of Greater Manchester’s four universities, The University of Bolton.
It’s a top location, probably because there is something for everyone here. From laid-back country village living to welcoming terraced and semi-detached communities; innovative flats and apartment buildings to modern family estates; contemporary new-builds to traditional farmhouses and even multi-million-pound gated homes, it’s a great place to call home.
THE OCTAGON
In August 2018, 51 years after it first opened its doors, construction began on reimagining the Octagon Theatre, an award-winning producing house theatre.
The project was funded by Bolton Council, Arts Council England and private funders, as well as public donations from more than 12,000 donors.
Re-opening in May 2021, the £12 million redevelopment has seen the complete modernisation of the entire building, with updated performance spaces including the venue’s intimate and flexible main auditorium and studio theatre; brand-new participation facilities; improved access facilities including new lifts, increased accessible toilet facilities and a Changing Places toilet and shower; a new two-floor Kitchen & Bar; a private hire event space and expanded backstage accommodation. Since its reopening, it has welcomed more than 55,000 visitors.
The current blockbuster season has already seen its world premiere musical stage adaptation of The Book Thief; a wonderful stage reimagining of Noel Coward’s timeless romance Brief Encounter; a world premiere musical of the ultimate festive classic A Christmas Carol and Bill Naughton’s beloved Spring and Port Wine.
But that’s not all: the studio space offers a variety of live entertainment, from its monthly sell-out comedy club, wonderful family productions and the popular First Bite play reading series that supports new local writers. It also delivers a community programme with a youth theatre, ReAct programme for over 50s and Women’s Group for refugees and asylum seekers.
octagonbolton.co.uk
